What to bring NEW Icer

[HandGunner]

Im new to this whole ice fishing thing... no idea what to bring... would my 5'4 G.loomis IMX panfish ex. fast action rod be good to bring? yea yea yea the ice rods are short but i dont really care whats the dif?... spring/summer panfish jigs? would they do the job? yes i will have hooks sinkers and bait but i want to try to catch bigger fish... would a ZIP lure work (metal lipless crank) and i have a like 1 or 2 inch blade bait the kind that are pretty much a lipless crank but its a thin metal blade shaped like a grasshopper... would that work? also have soft plastic lipless crank type lures and regular open wather hair jigs 3 inch softplastic minnow jigs and a homemade airplane jig and some spoons that i think could work for jigging.

what would i be able to catch with my stuff in green lake in Isanti county?

other info you should kno is im not an [PoorWordUsage] i know how to catch fish im more a bass fisherman and i know how to target bass but i also know how to fish for crappie in open water so just know that i know how fish behave and all that mumbo jumbo

[Northlander]

I would suggest you get yourself a shorter ice rod unless you will be outside all the time. I would also get some smaller panfish gear like ratfinkies and smaller spoons.

[Crm7290]

You can get an ice rod for ten bucks at Fleet Farm, Im sure that Gander and everything up there is the same.

You can use panfish jigs on the ice, just downsize. Look at the selection at your local store and compare with what you have. The spoons will help the best I think as long as they are small.

[mr.z 1972]

Ice fishing jigs are smaller because the fish are lethargic in the cold water. In the summer they are more likely to chase and hit something larger.

Northland makes a decent ice fishing combo set that has a rod, reel and some jigs. I have seen them at Cab elas but have heard somewhere that they are out of everything ice fishing related.

[Rymann]

Wow...What is up with the tude man?? You will want a shorter rod for ice fishing...Offers a better feel in the colder temps, and being closer to the hole will offer more control when fighting the fish. Plus Like mr. Z said, they are cheap, and you can even pick up a jiggle stick for around 5 bucks. You want spoons and jigs for winter fishing...Cranksbaits will more than likely not produce you much action. Basic jigs, and spoons are buckshot spoons, swedish pimples, lindy flyer spoons, ratso, moon glow, blood worm, fatboys, mud bugs, those types of lures should be a good start.

[GotALunker]

ya...i'm not getting the 'tude either.

green lake...try for panfish in the deeper holes.

[HandGunner]

lol im just sick of ppls attitude when i ask about longer rods... like really? its not like just because its not a 1 foot long rod dosnt mean i cannot catch a dang fish, as for the better feel theory i think its a jip, i've fished enough to tell a bass from a panfish when they take a lure or play with it yes a small rod makes it more sensitive but a light rod for panfish in open water is light enough IMO to were i can still catch them.

Green lake, any walleyes? pikes? how to catch em? should i go get some jigs?

just something about panfish that i dont enjoy crappies are fine but mostly the sunnies is what i hate. I dont want to sit and catch a ton of sunnies, i wanna catch a walleye pike or decent eating size crappie

but then again ive never ice fished

[Slabasaurus]

Well... my first time out on the ice was this past weekend, and I had considered bringin my 5' UL rod out with me. I woulda missed all the bites. I made sure I had a spring bobber attached to the rod tip, and that's where i saw the bites.

Space inside a shack will be tight with a rod like that, but if you're outside, i think you'll be fine. If I were you I'd pick up a shorter one though, it really is worth it.

Spring bobbers are great. Also, look into the forage minnows and buckshot spoons... I did well on the buckshot spoons tipped with minnows.

[BartmanMN]

lol im just sick of ppls attitude when i ask about longer rods... like really? its not like just because its not a 1 foot long rod dosnt mean i cannot catch a dang fish, as for the better feel theory i think its a jip, i've fished enough to tell a bass from a panfish when they take a lure or play with it yes a small rod makes it more sensitive but a light rod for panfish in open water is light enough IMO to were i can still catch them.

Green lake, any walleyes? pikes? how to catch em? should i go get some jigs?

just something about panfish that i dont enjoy crappies are fine but mostly the sunnies is what i hate. I dont want to sit and catch a ton of sunnies, i wanna catch a walleye pike or decent eating size crappie

but then again ive never ice fished

Head out to Green lake with what you have and give'r hell. If you do fine with your rod, then don't worry about it. If you don't catch a thing, then run to FF and pick up a $20 rod combo, 1/16th oz. ice fishing spoon, and a scoop of minnows.

[tsande00]

The biggest reason I would not like the longer rod is I like to be right over my hole as the fish comes up...ESPECIALLY if it is a larger fish that I'm going to want to reach in and grab with my hands. Standing 5' back from the hole will make it difficult to not only bring the fish up through the hole but more difficult to grab if it is a larger fish.

[soldoncass]

You don't have to spend much $ to start ice fishing, depending what you have of course. i think you will want a shorter rod(24-27"), but your ultralite reel will work just fine. If you have any broken rods, you can just cut the good 20 inches off the tip, and drill it into a short piece of broom handle. Electric tape mounts the reel to the new rod. Then all you need are splitshot, small hooks(4's and 6's maybe), and a slip bobber to use minnows or just the heads. 1/16 ounce or smaller jigs will work with the minnow/heads also. Fish are cold-blooded so they are sluggish in the winter, therefore think small/light bites. I really like the spring bobbers (flat metal ones), on the end of my rod also.....incredible how lite the bites can be, and you won't see many without the spring bobber set-up. You can add the other 100 items to your tackle later. Go with somebody else first if you can.....you'll pick up things quicker.

[mr.z 1972]

lol im just sick of ppls attitude when i ask about longer rods... like really? its not like just because its not a 1 foot long rod dosnt mean i cannot catch a dang fish, as for the better feel theory i think its a jip, i've fished enough to tell a bass from a panfish when they take a lure or play with it yes a small rod makes it more sensitive but a light rod for panfish in open water is light enough IMO to were i can still catch them.

Green lake, any walleyes? pikes? how to catch em? should i go get some jigs?

just something about panfish that i dont enjoy crappies are fine but mostly the sunnies is what i hate. I dont want to sit and catch a ton of sunnies, i wanna catch a walleye pike or decent eating size crappie

but then again ive never ice fished

Sounds to me like you're an expert already. Go get 'em!

[ozzie]

exactly why is he asking questions when he is already set in his way.....I wish you good luck and who knows maybe you will catch a fish or two....oh and don't forget the auger or the vexilar...those items will definatly increase your odds more than rod length especially the auger!!! lol

[Rymann]

Gunner, why do you ask questions that you apparently already know the answers too? There is a MAJOR diffrence between soft water fishing and hard water fishing...Yes you may be fine with a 5ft+ rod, but I highly doubt you will feel the majority of the bites this time of year. They bite much softer than any other time of the year. we are just trying to help you out. If you drop your crappy attitude about the answers we gave you then we would be more inclined to help you out more...Remember, you are a "NEW ICER", and there is much to learn.

[NoWiser]

Lose the attitude along with your summer rod. Go to FF and get the right tool for the job. Doesn't have to be expensive. Buy a handful of jigging spoons, and maybe a couple jigging raps, along with a few ratsos or shrimpos. Some plain hooks, splitshots, bobberstops, spring bobbers, and floats should round it out. Buy a set of ice picks to keep with you at all times, too.

Sure, I could muskie fish this summer with the perch rod I use this winter. Doesn't mean its effective, or smart.

[Acemac]

please head out to ice fish with your 5 footer and your cranks lets us know how you do.

this summer i would like to come fish bass with you I will bring my jigglestick, some glow jigs, and some waxies.

[slipperybob]

Just do it. I've used a 4'6" UL rod and it works just fine. I just call it my lazy snoozing rod.

Get a flasher and it makes all the difference.

[Farley]

Personally I would go with a longer rod 6.5 to 7 footer and a really big orange bobber so you can see it from 7 feet away. Last weeks outdoor news has a good article by jason mitchell on finding fish and drilling holes. Hey guess which lake is lake of the week? Hint: Its in Isanti county.

Make sure to take pics of your outing and post them up.

[TruthWalleyes]

Put a spring bobber on that 7' ultralight panfishing rod and wear some binocs so you can see the spring move when a fish bites...Most days when the fish bite agressive you still need a spring bobber!

I would like to see a pic of you icefishing with that big pole...especially if you catch something.

[Rymann]

Cane pole.

[HandGunner]

ha you guys are so funny!

i was out there today with a ice rod wich was a good 3 foot in length and i had no problem fishing with it when it came to the length of the rod..... but one problem i had most was the ice rods flimsyness. the thing is so flimsy i lost 4 fish with it. the reason being the wind kept moving and wiggling the rod around and i couldnt tell if the fish was on until it was too late

well ice fishing is not my thing i guess. I'll stick to hunting and open water fishing

[leech~~]

Dude, don't give up just get educated. You learned over time what it takes to be successful with open water gear. You just need to spend a little time learning what it takes to be successful on ice which is a different animal!

[harvey lee]

I would cut 2ft of the Loomis IMX summer rod and make an ice stick. JK

I would as suggested, get a shorter rod and some smaller panfish jigs.

[slipperybob]

I guess that must have been the panfish popper rod being so flimsy and three feet in length.

[fish2morrow]

Yes stick to open water and hunting and leave the ice fishing stuff to us. One less challenger.

Anyways if that rod is not what you want. You have to invest and get a rod that is not so flimsy. But then you would need a spring bobber or get those venom bobber. Also you NEEED, "NEEEEEED" a flasher. Or else it will just get worst for you. You'll want a power ice auger. You'll want to give up with a hand auger after 6 or something holes when the ice gets thick. Ice shack with a heater to stay warm, but not necessary.